Outstanding Advisor Award Winners

Four University of Georgia academic advisors have received 2022-2023 Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Advising Awards. The winners, including Yadira Castillo and Kestrina Shrestha from the Franklin College Office of Student Academic Services, were nominated by their Dean's Office and selected by a committee of three student representatives from SGA, along with previous advisor award winners.

Yadira Castillo, academic advisor for students in the department of microbiology and the division of biological sciences, is the recipient of this year’s UGA Outstanding Academic Advisor Award. Previously selected as the 2022-2023 Franklin College Outstanding Advisor, Castillo will now go forward as UGA’s nominee for the national NACADA Outstanding Academic Advisor Award.

Kestrina Shrestha, academic advisor for students in the department of mathematics, is the recipient of this year’s UGA Outstanding New Academic Advisor Award and will now go forward as UGA’s nominee for the national NACADA Outstanding New Academic Advisor Award.

"Everyone who knows Yadira and her exceptional work both in her department and in the broader advising community will recognize how deserving she is of this honor," said Diane Miller, director of the Franklin College Office of Student Academic Services. "Kestrina is tremendously deserving of this award and I’m thrilled to see UGA recognize her many accomplishments and contributions at this early stage of her advising career."

Congratulations to our colleagues on this recognition of their expertise and tireless efforts on behalf of our students.

Update:  in June 2023, Kestrina Shrestha was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the category of Outstanding New Advisor Award - Primary Advising Role by NACADA.

Advisors play a pivotal role in the lives of our students. Please consider supporting the Franklin College Office of Student Academic Services Fund to ensure that our advisors will have continued access to professional development experiences to gain new skills and perspectives.

Image: Kestrina Shrestha, left, and Yadira Castillo.